EARTHING

Maintenance Frequency
Description Comment Daily Monthly Quarterly H Yearly Yearly
1. Earth electrodes. Check: x

a) integrity of conductor, x

b) associated connections, x

c) condition of electrode and x

soil.
Test in accordance with
method described in
BS7430:1991.
2. Residual current Test using test button. x
devices (R.C.D.)(to BS
4293)
Test with approved R.C.D. x
tester.
Frequency testing varies with
location.
3. Earth fault loop a) origin of the installation,
impendence test.

*
b) sub main switchboards
/distribution boards,
c) final circuit distribution
boards,
d) socket outlet circuits,
e) lighting circuits,

f) isolated switches/control
devices for fixed
appliances,
g) exposed conductive parts
of fixed appliances.
4. Main equipotential Check visually and physically.
bonds. Any connections showing
signs of deterioration by
chemical or electrolytic
causes should be re-
terminated and the new
connection checked with a
'Ducter' test instrument.

x
5. Earth fault relays: Check:

24m*
i) Electromechanical, a) availability of auxiliary trip
supply (if applicable),

x
b) magnetic gaps for dirt and
clean, x
c) contact surfaces,
x
d) time current characteristic
curve at appropriate time
and current setting,
x
e) minimum current setting, x
f) dust filter, clean or replace
as necessary.
x
ii) Electronic relays Routine maintenance not
generally required.

*
NOTES
Record details and
compare with earlier
records as any
deterioration may be
gradual.
Resistivity of electrode
may be affected by
corrosion, damage or
soil condition.
See Guidance Note to
the Current Edition of
the IEE wiring
regulations.

*responsibility for this

check should be agreed
with the client.
Operation should be
within 200 milliseconds
at rated current output
or within 40 milliseconds
at 5 times the rated
*in certain
current.
circumstances there are
statutory/local
frequencies for testing.

Test random selection

with a minimum of two
per circuit of which one
shall be the socket-
outlet, which is
electrically the most
remote from the
distribution board.
Connections onto the
main earth bar should
be checked and
tightened up, if
necessary, with an
approved torque
spanner.

* represents maximum
interval, actual dictated
by environmental
conditions.
Attention should be paid
to fuses in tripping
supplies particularly
where no fuse
supervision is provided.

Do not use abrasives or

file.

* regular checks on
power available for
tripping should be made.